Footstools
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
20th Century French Modern Footstools
Foam, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wool, Velvet, Beech
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Hardwood
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Mid-19th Century British Antique Footstools
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather, Glass
19th Century British Regency Antique Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Footstools
Zebra Hide, Wood
2010s American Footstools
Upholstery, Oak
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Footstools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Beech
1980s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Footstools
Metal
Mid-20th Century English Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Wood, Maple
Mid-20th Century Asian Footstools
Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Footstools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Australian Hollywood Regency Footstools
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century Regency Footstools
Mahogany
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s Australian Industrial Footstools
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Leather
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather, Bentwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Footstools
Marble
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Wood, Velvet
19th Century Biedermeier Antique Footstools
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
2010s Italian Footstools
Velvet
1950s British Modern Vintage Footstools
Leather
Late 19th Century American Empire Antique Footstools
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Footstools
Brass
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Footstools
Textile, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Velvet, Beech
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Footstools
Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Footstools
Foam, Fabric, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary French Louis XVI Footstools
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Footstools
Walnut
20th Century Indian Romantic Footstools
Brass
1920s French Vintage Footstools
Cane, Wood
Antique and Vintage Footstools
Antique and vintage footstools might add a dose of fun to your living room, but they’re also hard workers.
Even as they’ve morphed into objects with plenty of functions over time, the footstool has a royal past. In Ancient Egypt, a footstool was used to climb onto an elevated chair or placed under someone’s feet as he or she was seated in a temple or private residence. Footstools were also in use during the Ottoman Empire. In fact, the ottoman, an upholstered seat or small bench that initially had no back or arms, was the main seating furniture in a home. Ottomans were a way to merge floor seating with cushions and mats.
Poufs, which originated in France, are also thought of as convenient seating furniture as well as occasionally serving as a side table, if needed. (Although, a pouf is typically not as firm as an ottoman.)
Over the years, footstools have taken on varying purposes. They have been used as small portable chairs, for example.
During the 18th century, a footstool might have been long with a low profile, which rendered it perfect for fireside seating. Victorian footstools were small but not unassuming, as furniture makers of the era would upholster the pieces so that they paired with the nearby sofa or wingback chairs. Footstools have even become a storage solution at home, with designers outfitting them with compartments. Today, a footstool might be used to organize quilts and blankets or other textiles, especially if you’re trying to keep things uncluttered in a small apartment.
Footstools are now available in all sorts of provocative colors, upholstery and more. No one is going to put a velvet footstool out on the curb, right? When shopping for your own footstool, try to find one that meets the height of your sofa or other seating (or is a tad lower). It should also be sturdy but not a heavy, clunky piece that’s a chore to move around.
The footstool is both decorative and functional. Not unlike a good throw pillow, interior designers have found numerous uses for this versatile, vibrant furnishing. Find yours in the growing collection of antique and vintage footstools today on 1stDibs.